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Author Topic: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?  (Read 5710 times)

FixItPete

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Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« on: October 14, 2009, 02:15:21 PM »
I have a socket rocket that was put into service earlier this year.  Outdoor, protected use.  20w bulb (NOT CFL).

The rocket is "stuck" on.  This means that if I take the rocket and put it in any fixture, when the power is on the light is on, when the power is off, the light is off.  Command to the Rocket the rocket does not seem to do anything.  Is there a "default" that it goes to?

Any ideas on how else to check it?

I am using X10 Powerhouse (the old serial kind) to control things (with the UR19A remote).  I replaced this one with a new one, programmed it, and the new one works fine.

Thanks,
Pete
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dave w

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2009, 02:39:54 PM »
Sorry but it is probably toast. This is typical failure mode of the triac in the Socket Rocket. The triac shorts and can not be turned off. This failure sometimes happens when the bulb burns out.

 
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FixItPete

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2009, 03:06:37 PM »
That makes sense, since the bulb did burn out.

Oh well...  I bought it March 11, 2009.  Am I anywhere with a replacement or anything?
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dave w

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2009, 04:27:56 PM »
Quote from: FixItPete on October 14, 2009, 03:06:37 PM
That makes sense, since the bulb did burn out.

Oh well...  I bought it March 11, 2009.  Am I anywhere with a replacement or anything?
You might contact X10 and see what they say, especially if you tell them it failed when the bulb blew. X10 has tried to make the Lamp Modules and Wall Switches more resistant to surge caused triac failures, but the Socket Rocket has no room.
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Brian H

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2009, 06:12:50 PM »
Yes I have popped a few with a bulb burning out.
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Charles Sullivan

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2009, 09:23:39 AM »
Quote from: FixItPete on October 14, 2009, 03:06:37 PM
That makes sense, since the bulb did burn out.

Oh well...  I bought it March 11, 2009.  Am I anywhere with a replacement or anything?

The standard warranty on most X10 components is for 1 year.  Your unit failed through no fault of yours.

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FixItPete

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2009, 06:43:50 PM »
I'm on the phone with them now... let's see how it goes. :)...

Still on hold...

On "Chat" with them on their site at the same time... so far it doesn't look good.  They are trying to say that since I didn't buy from x10.com they can't help me... let's see how it goes on the phone.

( HomePageQuestion ) I'm wondering if I can get some kind of special consideration on a LM15A that fried when the bulb blew...
( Greg ) Hello, Thank you for contacting X10.com. I would be more than happy to assist you today. May I have your phone number so that I can contact you in case we get disconnected?
( HomePageQuestion ) Sure. xxx-xxx-xxxx
( Greg ) We do have a 1yr warranty on all of our products.
( Greg ) Also have a 4 for 1 deal for $19.99
( http://www.x10.com/promotions/lm15a_ed_4f1_0118.html )
( HomePageQuestion ) Yes, I see that. I bought it on March 11, 2009 -- so we're good there. I was reading the warranty and it asks for $4 -- I only paid $17.50 for 3 of them... so that is $5.83
( Greg ) Did you buy it from X10?
( HomePageQuestion ) No, looks like the receipt says, "Big John's Place"
( Greg ) You will need to contact them for any returns
( Greg ) We can only do returns or exchange if you ordered them from X10.
( HomePageQuestion ) On the warranty it says to contact X10. I have the address as 3824 North 5th St... etc. It doesn't say to contact the seller...
( Greg ) Since you didn't order directly from X10 you will have to follow the instructions on the warranty.
( Greg ) It will go the the warehouse and they will send you a new one.
( HomePageQuestion ) I got that part. So you're saying I have to pay for the item twice after it only lasted since March of this year. Is that correct? ($4 shipping to you) = about what I paid for it already... Just want to make sure I understand.

.
.
.

It goes on, but basically, tough crap -- call "Big John" or pay us the money.

Same thing on the phone.  Jerks.
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Brian H

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2009, 07:03:39 PM »
Yes. If you did not get the item from the X10 web site you have to contact the vendor who sold it to you.

I believe part of being an X10 dealer requires that they handle the warranty.

I know any items I have bought from other vendors. They had to do warranty exchanges.
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FixItPete

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2009, 07:09:13 PM »
I'm going to send Big John an email... we'll see...
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AfrielDotCom

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2009, 10:47:56 PM »
What is the life expectancy on the socket rocket and other X10 lamp and appliance modules?
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Knightrider

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2009, 10:50:54 PM »
Quote from: AfrielDotCom on October 15, 2009, 10:47:56 PM
What is the life expectancy on the socket rocket and other X10 lamp and appliance modules?

I have lamp and appliance modules as well as wall switches that are all over 20 years old.  People tend to lose socket rockets as soon as the bulb blows.
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jero12

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2009, 04:00:32 AM »
wow! that is quite a long period of usage man. how did you managed to use it that long? :o
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JeffVolp

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Re: Does this mean my Socket Rocket is dead?
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2009, 09:46:47 AM »

We still have a few of those old brown BSR modules from the late 70's in service here.  Because they're kind of ugly by today's standards, they are mainly used for the holiday lighting.

Jeff
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X-10 automation since the BSR days
 

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